Method and apparatus for preparing and handling rubber material



April 7, 1942. a. F. WlKLE I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANDHANDLING RUBBER MATERIAL Filed March 8, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 3mwszvma.

GEORGE E WIKLE A TYURNEYS.

April 7, 1942.

G. F. WIKLE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND HANDLING RUBBERMATERIAL Filed March a, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. GEORGE F.WIKLE ATTORNEYS.

Aprll 7, 1942. G. F. WIKLE 2,278,602

METHOD mm APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND HANDLING RUBBER MATERIAL FiledMarch 8, 1959 e Sheets -Sheet 4 Y INVENTQR. GEORGE E WIKLE ATTORNEYSQ IIlll/Illlllllllllll Ill 1 nun IIlllllIIIllIIlll/IllllllIlllIIIIIIlIIlIlI/ll llIIlIlIlIIlIllI/IIIII -April7, 1942. G.F.IWIKLI.E I 2,278,602

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND HANDLING RUBBER MATERIAL FiledMarch 8, 1959 s Sh'eebs-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GEORGE F. WIKLE A TTORN E YS.

. G. F. WIKLE 2,278,602-

METI-IOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND HANDLING RUBBER MATERIAL April7, 1942.

' Filed March 8, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I Fl GEORGE F. WZKLE A TTORNEYS.

ln llm Patented Apr. 7, 1942 METHOD Ann APPARATUS For. PREPARING ANDHANDLING RUBBER. MATERIAL George F. Wikle, Detroit, Mich assignor toUnited States Rubber Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewJersey Application March a, 1939, Serial No. 260,520

15 Claims.

This invention relates tofan apparatus and methods for manipulating andpreparing rubber stock, and in particular it relates to an apparatus andmethod for coating rubber' stock-with a lubricant, cooling the stock,cutting it into uniform slabs, and piling the slabs of stock onto aPlatform.

In the processing of rubber compositions for the manufacture of rubberarticles, such as pneumatic tires, it has been conventional practice tomix the rubber composition in a mixing mill, and to cut and remove thisrubber stock from the mill in the form of slabs of rubber. During suchmixing operations the temperature of the stock was raised to such adegree that it could not be conveniently handled by an operator exceptwhile wearing heavy gloves. These slabs were manually removed from themilland placed on hooks where they were cooled approximately to roomtemperature'and coated with a lubricating material, after which theywere piled on platforms in storage until needed for further processing.The cooling of these slabs before they were piled for storage wasnecessary since any substantial amount of heat confined in the stackedslabs had a detrimental effect upon the stock if the stock was allowedto remain in this condition for any appreciable length of time. All ofthe steps mentioned above have been heretofore performed manually, andas the slabs of stock were relatively heavy and hot, such manual taskswere hazardous and fatiguing.

In accordance with the practice of my invention, I provide an apparatuswhich receives a hot slab of rubber compositionfrom a mixing mill, andcarries the slab of rubber through various stages during which onesurface of the slab is treated by the applicationof a lubricant and acooling medium is. applied to the opposite surface during a continuousmovement of the stock.

Thereafter the stock is cut into uniform lengths, and the cut lengthsare automatically placed in superimposed relation upon a platform ortrue skid. e

Among the objects of my invention are, to provide an apparatus-fortreating rubber compositions which will relieve operators of hazardousand fatiguing manual labor, to providean apparatus which will treatrubber stock uniformly, and to provide an apparatus which economicallyand efliciently treats and stacks rubber stock in a continuousoperation. These and other objects and advantages will appear more fullyin the following detailed descrlption when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embody- I ing the features of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is. a side elevational view thereof:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the apparatus,illustrating the principal drive mechanism;

Fig. 4 is anenlarged plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse view of the mechanism, taken along lines VV ofFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the apparatus,illustrating the principal drive mechanism as viewed from the sideopposite that shown in Fig. 3; a

Fig. 7 is a transverse view, in section, of conveyor mechanism, takenalong lines VII-VII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevatlonal view, partly in section, of adevice for controlling vertical movement of a stack of rubber slabs;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed plan view of a slab stacking conveyor; I

Fig. 10 is a transverse view, in section, of the slab stacking conveyor,taken along lines XX of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detailed section'al'view of a slab stacking conveyorroller, taken along lines X[-XI of Fig. 10; and, v

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the apparatus,illustrating the relationship bethe bite of the mill rolls I and 2, andfor a predetermined period of time the stock is mixed in such manner asto cause a uniform blending of the various ingredients which form therubber composition and such mixing of the rubber composition causes anappreciable temperature rise therein. After the stock 3 is mixed for apredetermined period, an operator cuts the stock longitudinally ofeither of the rolls I and 2, and the free end of the stock which isrolled in the form of a slab 4 drops by gravity onto a conveyor 5 whichtransports it to various treating and ban-- dling mechanisms.

The conveyor 5 operates as a unit which mechanically functions insynchronism with the reconveyor belt 9.

maining mechanisms in the apparatus. The conveyor 5 includes tracks 6and 1 which engage with a plurality of conveyor belt supporting rollers8 (Fig. 7). A conveyor belt 9, supported by the rollers 8 throughtransverse structural members I0, is formed of an open wire or chainmesh attached to the structural members ID. A link chain connects withthe rollers 8 and structural members I for moving the conveyor belt 9.The link chain associates with sprockets I2 and I3 (Fig. 2) mounted inbearings supported by a structural frame |4. Sprocket I3 is keyed to ashaft l5, and a sprocket l6 (Fig. 1) also keyed to the shaft engageswith a combination motor and reduction unit l1 through a chain l8 andsprocket IS. A pair of angles attached to the structural frame l4support the motor reduction unit I1.

The conveyor 5 moves continuously throughout the operation of theapparatus and carries the slab stock 4 from the mixing mill along thelength of the conveyor and transfers the stock from the end of theconveyor 5 to a secondary conveyor hereinafter described. An idlerroller 2| near the beginning of the conveyor 5 maintains the stock 4 incontact relation with the From the idler roller 2| the conveyor 5 isinclined upwardly to a height sufficient to accommodate the cutting andstacking apparatus positioned thereunder. The remaining portion of theconveyor |2 continues in a horizontal path.

At the inclined portion of the conveyor 5 means is provided for coatingthe upper surface of the slab 4 with a lubricant such as a soapstonematerial suspended in a liquid. The soapstone solution is applied in anatomized manner through nozzles 22 attached to a supply conduit 23. Thesoapstone lubricant is applied ononly one side of the slab 4, and itspurpose is to prevent adhesionof adjacent layers of the stock when theslabs are piled in superimposed relation. The soapstone solution isapplied shortly after the slab of stock leaves the mixing mill, and thestock being relatively hot, the soapstone solution dries quickly leavinga dry film of lubricating material in adherence with the surface of thestock 4.

As the stock 4 leaves the conveyor 5 it engages a secondary conveyor 24(Fig. 2) which, like the first named conveyor, comprises tracks 25 and25 for supporting rollers 21 (Fig. 7) connected to a link chain28-operating on sprockets 29 and ill (Fi 2). nected with the link chain28 are attached to and support a wire mesh or chain type conveyor belt52. The sprocket 28 is an idler sprocket and is rotatably associatedwith a shaft 88 mounted in bearings attached to the structuraljrame l4.The sprocket I8 is a drive sprocket keyed to a shaft 84 mounted inbearings attached to the structural frame l4 and is driven continuouslythroughout the operation of the apparatus by means hereinafterdescribed.

The secondary conveyor 24 is located directly below the conveyor 5 andfunctions to return the stock 4 adistance substantially equal to theelevated horizontal portion of the conveyor 5. The object of thehorizontal travel of the stock along the conveyor 5 and back overconveyor 24 is to permit the stock to cool off prior to the stacking ofslabs of the stock. It is essential to cool the stock as it has beenfound that stacking the slabs of stock while hot will cause detrimentaldefects in the rubber composition.

Structural angles 3| (Fig. 7) con In order to facilitate cooling. Iprovide nozzles (Fig. 2) which direct sprays of cold water against theunder side of the stock 4 as it passes over the conveyor 5. The nozzlesare connected to a horizontal conduit 35 which Joins a vertical conduit31 connected to a cold water supply. As the conveyor belt 9 is in theform of an open wire mesh, the sprays of water pass through the meshbelt and contact directly with the under surface of the stock 4. Thenozzles 35 are located between the conveyor 5 and the conveyor 24, withthe result that surplus water directed against the underside of thestock 4 as it rests upon the conveyor 5 will drop onto the same side ofthe stock 4 upon return movement of the conveyor 24. The single set ofsprays, therefore, functions to cool the same side of the rubber stockduring its forward and return movements. The cooling operation by theapplication of water is limited to one side of the stock only. Thepurpose of this limitation is to prevent washing oil of the lubricantwhich isapplied to the opposite side of the stock through the nozzles22. A drain pan 38 is located directly below the conveyor 24 forcollecting the surplus water directed against the rubber stock. Thewater is removed from the pan 38 by a drain 38.

Near the end of travel of the rubber stock 4 over the conveyor 24, meansis provided for removing surplus water from the surface of the rubberstock. This means includes a hollow shaft 48 (Figs. 3 and 4) pivotallymounted in bearings 4| attached to the structural frame l4. Attached tothe hollow shaft 40 is a pair of arms 42 which support a plurality ofdiscs 43 for engagement with the surface of the rubber stock as it movesover the conveyor 24. A conduit 44, also supported by the arms 42, islocated relatively close to the surface of the rubber stock, and isprovided with a plurality of apertures 45 through which a blast of airis directed against the surface of the rubber stock. This blast of airremoves the surplus water from the stock and source.

leaves it in a relatively dry condition. A conduit 46 Joins the conduit44 with the hollow cated between the discs 45 assist in controlling t-heflow of air to localized areas for increasing the effectiveness oftheblast of air.

At the drive end-=01 the-conveyor 24 and keyed to the shaft 34 a'roller50 (Fig. 5) is provided for supporting the wire mesh conveyor belt 82.Notches 5| are provided in the roller 58 to permit clearance for thestructural angles 2| which support the belt 32. A similar roller isprovided at the:i ssupporting ends of each of the conveyors 24 an Anadditional drain pan 52 is provided at the drive end of the conveyor 24in prder to collect any water that may drip from this portion of theconveyor. A drain line 53 removes the water from the pan 52. J

Removal of the stock 4 from the conveyor 24 is assisted by a drivenroller 54 (Fig. 5) keyed to a shaft 55 supported by bearings attached tothe structural frame |4. From the driven roller 54 the stock passes onto a shearing device which cuts the stock into slabs I84. The shearingdevice includes a supporting roller 56 keyed to a shaft 51 mounted inbearings attached to the structural frame Il.- The supporting rollerdriven. Associated with the .supporting roller supported by rods 62connected to the structural frame It in a manner to permit adjustment ofthe cutting roll 58 in the direction of the supporting roller 56.

To facilitate the cutting operation and to. prevent the rubber stockfrom adhering to the supporting roller 56, means is provided formoistening the surface of the rubber stock during the cutting operation.This means includes a container 63 (Fig.5) attached to the structuralframe II and located in such a manner as to permit a portion of thesupporting roller 56 to be partly submerged in water in the container63. A conduit 64 joins the container 63 with the drain 53 whereby watercollected in the pan 52 may 3 I (Fig. 6) keyed thereto and is connectedthrough a chain 84 to a sprocket 95 keyed-to the shaft 69. Sprocket 86,also keyed to the shaft 61,- drives the conveyor 24 through a chain 81and sprocket 88 keyed to the shaft 34-. A sprocket 89 keyed to thecutting roll shaft 60 meshes with a chain 98 and with a sprocket 9|keyed to a shaft 92 which drives the slab stacking conveyor 1|hereinafter described. Idler sprockets 83, 96 and 95 extending from thestructural frame l6 position the chain 98 in proper relation for passthrough the drain 53 and conduit 64 into the container 63. The conduit53 includes an elevated portion 65 which functions to maintain adefinite water level in the container 63. Excess water leaves theelevated portion 65 of the drain 53 and is discharged into a drain 66.

From the cutting device the stock slabs I94 pass between driven rollers61 and 68 keyed to shafts 69 and 18, respectively, which deposit theslabs of stock on a stacking conveyor 1|. The shaft 69 is mounted inbearings supported by the structural frame I4, and the shaft 19 ismounted.

in brackets 12 pivotally connected to the structural frame I 4 at 19.The roller 61 is driven and a gear 14 keyed to the shaft 69 engages witha gear 15 keyed to the shaft 10, with the result that the roller 68 isdriven in the opposite direction to that of the roller 61 to assist inremoving the slabs "of stock from the cutting deviceand for depositingthe slabs on the conveyor 1 I While the roller 68 is pivotally mountedto the frame I4, its weight is sufiicient to form proper contact betweenthe gears 14 and 15 and for properly engaging the rubber stock.

The cutting operation is further facilitated by driving the rollers.61'and 68 slightly faster than the movement of the stock at the cuttingoperaf' tion. This differential stock movement stretches the stockslightly at the margin adjacent the knife blade 59.

The cutting device and associated mechanism is driven from a combinationmotor and reduction unit 16 (Fig. 3) supported by the structural frameM. A sprocket 11 attached to the motor 16 engages a chain 18 whichdrives a sprocket 19 keyed to the shaft 51 which is keyed to thesupporting roller 56. The chain 18 also engages with a sprocket 80 keyedto the shaft 55 which drives the roller 54 located at the end of thecontaining the chain 18 in proper engagement with the sprocket 88. Agear 82 keyed to the shaft 51 engages witha gear 83 attached to thecutdriving the sprocket 9|.

The slab stacking mechanism comprises a conveyor 1|. moving in arectangular path, and arranged to stack the slabs within the areadefined by the rectangular path. Essentially; the conveyor path isdefined by a track '96 (Fig. 2) which forms three sides of the path, theremaining side of the path being occupied by the conveyor suspendedbetween sprockets 91 and 98. Sprocket 91 is keyed to the shaft 92mounted in bearings supported by the structural. frame I4, and is drivencontinuously throughout the operation of the apparatus through thesprocket 9| (Fig. 6)

also attached to the shaft 92 associated with drive mechanismhereinbefore described. This rectangular conveyor is of such size as topermit,

piling or stacking of a substantial quantity of slabs within theconfines of the conveyor.

The sprocket 98, which is an idler sprocket, is mounted in bearingsattached to the structural frame M. Conveyor chains 99 engage thesprockets 91 and 98, and the track 96. The supporting part of theconveyor comprises a plurality of rollers I00 (Fig. 9) freely rotatableupon shafts Illl attached to links of the conveyor chains 99. Throughoutthe length of the conveyor H the rollers Hill are located in groups.which in group relation receiveand support a' slab of stock thereonwhen the group of rollers are in a horizontal position at the upper partof the conveyor. 7 This grouping arrangement of the rollers I08 permitsa gap between successive groups of a width sufilcientto permit the slabsof rubber to move' from a supported position on the rollers through thegap between the groups of 'rollers,

' and to a positionwithin the area defining the I of the track guidebrackets veyor 24. An idler sprocket 8| assist in mainserve as a movingtable (Fig. 5) to path of the rectangular conveyor. The rollers I08 ineach groupare connected together by a chain I 92 meshing with sprocketsI03 attached to each'of the rollers 100. ,Because ness of the rollersI90, the sprockets I03 and chain I82.

The chain 99 is provided with engage the track 96*. and

it is necessary to stagger provide a relatively wide at the curvedportions vided for maintaining the chains I 02in contact with thesprockets I03.

As the rubber slabs are removed from the cutting operation each'slab islaid on top of a group of the rollers I89. In the first stage of theoperation the rollers I of a single group do not rotate about theirrespective axes, but. merely carry the rubber stock along the path ofthe conveyor. When the group of rollers 100 has reached a position Theroller 61 which deposits the slabs of rubsubstantially above the stackof means is provided tocause rotation rubber slabs,

about their respective axes while they continue to move forwardly as agroup along the conveyor path and this causes the rubber, slab to remainin a relatively stationary position while the group of the close-. I

rollers I05 which I06 (Fig. 5) are proof the rollers I09 rearwardly (orclockwise'as viewed in Fig. 5)

of rollers I moves out from beneath the slab. As the end of the slab ofrubber extends over the gap between adiacent groups of rollers, the endof the rubber stock under the influence of gravity, drops through theopening and onto the stack of slabs. The conveyor continues to move inits path, with the result that successive slabs of rubber stock arecarried by and dropped from the rollers of successive groups and come torest uniformly centered upon the stack of rubber slabs.

In order to rotate the rollers I00 rearwardly about their axes at theproper time, as indicated above, I provide a rack I01 (Fig. which isengageable with the intermediate portion of the chain I02 for drivingthe rollers I00. A guide bar I24 is positioned below the chain I02 andopposite the rack I01 for assisting in maintaining the chain I02 inproper mesh relation with the rack I01. Except for a shock absorbingspring action, the rack I01 is substantially sta- Another truck skid H6may be replaced on the tionary. Its engagement with the chain .IIIoccurs as the chain is brought into engagement elevator platform I I1and the platform raised to its elevated position, and the apparatus isagain ready for a similar cycle of operation.

It is to be understood that stock may be fed continuously to the millrolls I and 2 for continuous operation of the apparatus, or theapparatus may be operated intermittently to accommodate a quantity ofrubber stock 3 deposited in the bite of the mill rolls-I and 2.

While I have thus shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that it may be otherwise embodied asappearing within the scope of the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for manipulating rubb r stock comprising, means forsupplying a moving layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheetform, means for coating one side of the moving layer with a lubricatingmaterial, means for cooling the layer of rubber composition while somov- I01 is pivotally supported at I00 from a bracket I09 attached tothe structural frame. Sleeves IIII form a part of the rack I01 andengage rods III which are pivoted at I00 to the bracket I09. A spring II2 is interposed betwee'rithe sleeves III and the bracket I09. By thisarrangement a slight cushioning movement of the rackin a horizontaldirection is permissible. A slight vertical cushioning movement is alsoprovided by means of a bracket H3 secured to the rack I01 andcooperating through a spring I I4 with a stud II 5 attached to bracketI08. This; cushioning movement of the rack I01, as shown in Fig. 12, isnecessary because of. the probability of improper meshing of the rackI01 with thechain I02 upon its first contact.

In order to lay the slabs of rubber in a substantially uniform stack, Iprovide elevating means in which the deposited slabs may be loweredprogressively from a uniform depositing position in order to accommodatea substantial quantity of slabs. By this arrangement an elevator systemis provided as shown in Fig. 8. For purposes of convenience, the slabsof stock are laid on a truck skid H0 or other removable support. Thetruck skid in turn rests upon an elevator platform II1 which, throughrods I I0, is supported by a frame IIS. A fluid operating cylinder I20rigidly attached to the structural frame I 4 by members I2I engages withthe frame H9 for raising or lowering the elevator platform 1.-

It is preferable to maintain the top of the skid I I 6 or the top of thelast deposited layer of stock at a substantially uniform distancerelative to the conveyor 1|. A preferred relation is shown in Fig. 5. Inorder' to maintain this distance throughout the. depositing operation, Iprovide means for lowering the elevator progressively through the medium'of an electric eye, comprising units I 22 and I23 (Fig. 8) which maybecona suflicient quantity of rubber slabs are deposited rubber slabsremoved by any conventional means.

ing, means for cutting the moving layer into slabs, and means forstacking the slabs in superimposed relation.

2. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a moving layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheetform. means for coating one side of the moving layer with a lubricatingmaterial, means for directing a cooling agent on the side of the movinglayer opposite to the side coated with lubricating material, means forcutting the moving layer into slabs, and means for stacking th slabs insuperimposed relation.

3. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a moving layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheetform, an open mesh conveyor belt for transporting the layer along apredetermined path, means for directing a cooling agent through the meshconveyor belt and against the under side of the layer while so moving,means for cutting the moving layer into slabs, and means for stackingthe slabs in superimposed relation.

4. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a moving layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheetform, means for coating one side of the moving layer with a lubricatingmaterial, means for cooling the moving layer of rubber composition.means for cutting the moving layer into slabs, means for 4 stacking theslabs in superimposed relation, and means for lowering the stack ofslabs progressively as additional slabs are stacked.

5. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a movinglayer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheetform, an open mesh conveyor belt for transporting the layer along apredetermined path, means -for directing a coolingagent through the meshconveyor belt and against the under side of the moving layer, means forcutting the moving layer into slabs, means for stacking the slabs insuperimposed relation, and means for lowering the stack of slabsprogressively as additional slabs are stacked.

6. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheet form, anopen mesh conveyor belt for transporting the layer along a predeterminedpath, means for coating.one-side of the layer with a lubricatingmaterial while being conveyed, means for direct-' ing a cooling agentthrough the moving mesh conveyor belt and against the under side of thelayer to cool same after the lubricating material has dried upon thelayer of rubber composition.

7. An apparatus for manipulating rubber stock comprising, means forsupplying a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in hot sheetform, an open mesh conveyor belt for transporting the layer in onedirection and a second conveyor belt positioned therebeneath forreceiving the'layer therefrom and transporting it in the oppositedirection along a predetermined path, means for coating one side of thelayer with a liquid lubricating material while being conveyed, and meansbetween said conveyors for directing a cooling agent against portions ofthe opposite side of the layer positioned upon said conveyors after thelubricating material on the layer has been dried by heat therefrom. 8.The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps of supplying-a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheet form,

coating one side of the layer with a lubricating material, cooling thelayer of rubber composition by the application of a liquid spray againstof the layer with a liquidlubricating material and drying thelubricating material by heat from the layer, and directing a coolingagent against the other surface of the layer.

10. The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps ofsupplying a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheet form,coating one side of the layer with a lubricating material, cooling thelayer of rubber composition by the application of a liquid spray againstthe opposite side of said layer, cutting the layer into slabs, stackingthe slabs in superimposed relation, and lowering the stack of slabsprogressively as additional slabs are stacked.

11. The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the stepsofsupplying a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheet form,coating one side of the layer with a lubricating material, directing acooling agent on the surface of the rubber stock opposite to the surfacecoated withlubricating material, cutting the layer intoslabs, andstacking the slabs in superimposed relation.

12. The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps ofsupplying a layer of rubber composition in hot sheet form, coating oneside of the layer with a lubricating material, drying said lubricatingmaterial by heat from said layer, moving the layer in a manner to permitits under side to be at least partially exposed, cooling the rubberlayer by directing a cooling agent against its under side, cutting thelayer into slabs, and stacking the slabs in superimposed relation.

13. The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps ofsupplying a layer of relatively hot rubber composition in sheet form,moving the layer in a manner to permit its under side to be at leastpartially exposed, cooling-the rubber layer by directing a cooling agentagainst its under side, reversing and moving the layer beneath itsexposed portion whereby the same side of the layer is subjected to the,

cooling agent directed against the layer while travelling in oppositedirections;

14." The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps ofcontinuously advancing a body of stock in a heated condition, applying aliquid lubricating material to .one surface of the stock, utilizing theheat of the stock for drying the lubricating material, and applying acooling agent to the other surface of the stock.

15. The method of preparing rubber stock comprising the steps ofcontinuously advancing a body of stock\ in a heated condition, applyinga ,liquid lubricating material to one surface of the stock, utilizingthe heat of the stock for drying .the lubricating material, looping thestock to bring portions of the other surface of the layer intoproximity, and applying a cooling agent to the stock surface at theinside of the loop. GEORGE F. WIKLE.

